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Just found a nice little video from the US Navy on low level flight preparation and navigation techniques. Although it’s from the 60s and primarily targeted towards high speed flying ops, some of the elements are applicable to us low flying bug smashers as well

Well, it’s no secret: I love my iPad! But when it comes to typing longer documents, the on-screen keyboard just won’t work for me (I touch type, if I forgot to mention). I looked at various keyboard solutions for the iPad, but most of them add too much weight and are too clumsy in my oppinion. Basically, I don’t want to carry the keyboard with me all the time, only when I need it. And when I need it, I want a real fullsize keyboard that enables me to just type away. The solution: Use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard. Problem: a) How to securely transport the thing and b) How to attach the iPad at a nice viewing angle. This is where the Incase Origami iPad Workstation enters the game.

Just wanted to show you my new QRP go-pack, designed to be extremely portable for use in my back pack. It consists of a YouKits HB-1B tranceiver, a ZM-2 antenna tuner (Z-Match), 10 cell NiMH battery pack, Palm Key portable paddle with magnetic mount (the FT-817 model), pair of in-ear headphones, 2 x 10m random wire antenna (one goes into the next tree, one goes on the ground as counter poise), some thin nylon line to mount the antenna, and a golf ball with a hook as a weight to launch the antenna.

Those among us who do both flying and ham radio have a dilemma: as a pilot we usually own a high grade aviation noise canceling headset that is generally of better quality than most headsets available in the ham radio market (I personally own a David Clark H10-13.4 headset … try to find a passive headset with similar robustness). However, all standards regarding plugs etc. are different Continue reading →

I just found this incredible site of two guys, Brady Lane and Caleb Ihrig, who build their own Bearhawk experimental aircraft and document everything along their way in a video podcast. You’ll find them at dreambuildfly.com and if you are an aviation enthusiast like me you really HAVE to see their stuff. Continue reading →

After Apple announced the termination of the MobileMe service I had to do something about my web page. A test of WordPress with a free account on wordpress.com convinced me that WordPress might be a nice improvement over my existing iWeb page. Continue reading →

Some of you might have heard – well, at least the Apple users among you probably heard – iWeb is almost history, there doesn’t seem to be any plan to keep it alive. MobileMe is definitely history – Apple will retire it in fall and replace it with iCloud, their new service. Problem – there will be no replacement for the existing web page hosting service. Continue reading →

Some of you might know the problem: When you use photocopied or laser printed checklist pages with plastic covers that contain a lot of softener, after a while the letters „rub off“ and ruin the plastic covers. This is especially true when using the US military 8×5“ checklist covers. Continue reading →

Most pilots among you have heard of the Vans Aircraft marketing slogan of the “RV grin”. Well, after almost 20 years I had the chance to rediscover the pure joy of flying the Piper Cub … and I wasn’t able to wipe that grin off my face for the next couple of hours … the proverbial and above mentioned “Cub Grin”. Those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to fly one yet might wonder what’s so special about the experience. Continue reading →

Usually I avoid product recommendations, but this one here is definitely one worth mentioning: Have a look at the FlyBoys FB1316 kneeboard from www.flyboys.com. It’s light, it’s low profile, it’s cool (desinged by F-16 pilots, yesss sir), and it has various unique features that proved to be extremely useful while operating in small GA cockpits. Continue reading →